Pittway

Pittway Corporation

Company type	Public
Industry	Fire and burglar alarm systems, security products, real estate
Fate	Acquired by Honeywell in 2000
Successor	Honeywell
Headquarters	Chicago , United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Neison Harris (president), Irving B. Harris, Leo Guthart (vice-chairman), C. D. Palmer (vice-chairman)
Products	First Alert smoke detectors, fire and burglar alarm products, security solutions

Pittway Corporation functioned as a diversified holding company chiefly known for producing and distributing both professional and consumer fire and burglar alarm systems.

In 1962, Neison Harris, who had previously held an executive position at Gillette, assumed the role of president as the company transitioned from operating trolleys to expanding into various business sectors. By 1964, Pittway had divested from transportation by selling Pittsburgh Railways to the Port Authority of Allegheny County, generating proceeds exceeding . This move coincided with the downturn in trolley services, which paralleled increased ownership of personal automobiles.

The company’s development was also notably shaped by Neison Harris' brother, Irving B. Harris. Additionally, Leo Guthart held the position of vice-chairman.

Throughout the 1960s, Pittway expanded its portfolio through acquisitions including Barr-Stalfort Co., specializing in aerosol can filling, Alarm Device Manufacturing Co., and Industrial Publishing Co.. In 1967, the headquarters were moved to Chicago, accompanied by a corporate renaming to Pittway Corporation. The company gained prominence primarily for its First Alert line of home smoke detectors, along with professional-grade fire and burglar alarm products and other security solutions, as well as maintaining real estate investments. Its holdings also included fire alarm manufacturers such as Fire-Lite and Notifier.

By 1968, C. D. Palmer, serving as vice-chairman, was the leading executive stationed in Pittsburgh.

In 1976, Pittway acquired Penton and subsequently integrated Industrial Publishing into this entity. During the late 1970s, Pittway, alongside General Electric, held a dominant position in the consumer smoke alarm sector, with Pittway products retailed through outlets like Sears. However, in 1978, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission imposed a $100,000 penalty on Pittway due to the sale of smoke detectors that presented fire risks.

In 1998, Penton was separated from Pittway as an independent entity. Subsequently, in early 2000, Honeywell purchased Pittway for , intending to enhance its offerings in home and building control systems.